The Power of S L O W newsletter isn't just about business but it's very much about business AND it's also about human-centered marketing, human capacity and human scale and serving in a way that heals and doesn't harm. This community supports you being deeply creative and authentic in a fast moving standardized, artificial world. Please consider hitting "display photos" for a cozier reading experience.
Hey there, Deliberate One,
Ah, nothing like good old Pride Month to remind us that while we still live in a hot takes, impulsive society, we have a choice to slow down and be intentional in how we serve.
The Philadelphia Eagles (my team!) proudly unveiled a rainbow Eagle wings mural last week in honor of Pride Month. The comments section exploded. Some people lost their minds. Twelve NFL teams have stayed silent entirely about Pride Month. Major corporations are pulling back from Pride sponsorships by 40-50%.
Some businesses are doubling down on their values. Others are retreating.
And in the middle of all this divisiveness, there's a quiet revolution happening among passionate, intentional businesses and brands who are asking a different question entirely: How do we show up authentically in divisive times without losing ourselves in the process?
The Landscape: What We Are Up Against
Let's be honest about where we are right now:
- Corporate America is retreating: 39% of major corporations are scaling back Pride Month engagement this year, preparing "strategies to respond to blowback"
- The economics are real: Pride organizations are seeing 40-50% drops in sponsorships, with some events losing hundreds of thousands in funding
- The backlash is intense: Companies like Target face employee threats, store disruptions, and billion-dollar market value losses for supporting LGBTQ+ causes
- The divide is unclear: Social media comment sections on any Pride-related post seem to reflect cultural polarization but the facts differ.
Maybe you are feeling unsure of what's best right now?
This is exactly the time to slow down and reconnect with your values and your mission so that you are showing up deliberately.
But here's what the headlines miss: 89% of Democrats, 62% of Republicans and 78% of independents support protections for LGBTQ+ people, according to a recent Public Religion Research Institute survey U.S. companies end Pride sponsorships as anti-DEI pressure mounts, suggesting the divide may not be as universally visceral as suggested.
And, while Fortune 500 companies retreat, REAL HUMANS are moving in the opposite direction. When we strip away the corporate noise and get to the heart of what people actually want, the data is clear: 82% of shoppers want a brand's values to align with their own -- not because it's trendy, but because authenticity matters in a world full of artificial everything. (Good-bye Target, anyone?).
Even in this divisive landscape, intentional brands and organizations are finding their own way forward and customers are rewarding them for it. Just look at Costco which doubled down on its support of diversity, equity and inclusion and reached 79.6 million paid household members -- up 6.8% year-over-year. Impressive for a slow economy where consumers are spending less.
That is exactly what can happen when you use human-centered business practices focused on ensuring people feel they belong.
In my experience, boldly leaning into YOUR values attracts the right people to walk in through your doors.
Because authentic business isn't about picking sides -- it's about creating spaces where humans feel seen. Whether you support Pride or not, your community is watching how you show up when things get complicated. If being welcoming and inclusive aligns with your values, this is your moment to lean in with intention, not away out of fear. In an online landscape that creates division, choosing to serve in ways that heal rather than hurts is both radical and utterly necessary.
Because I'm NOT YOUR TYPICAL BUSINESS COACH, I'm kinda obsessed with this intersection of business and values -- so I also wrote a whole blog post on what you can learn from Target's mistakes this year.
Breathing deeply with you in the storm,
XO
Shawn
LATEST BLOG
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Discover what Target’s $4 billion DEI misstep can teach every business leader about the power of staying true to your values. In this insightful blog post, learn how strategic communication and unwavering commitment to core principles can protect your brand and foster lasting loyalty—even in turbulent times.
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SLOW BUSINESS TIP:
define your values; create a marketing strategy that aligns
Define Your Mission Non-Negotiables
You are on a mission, right?
You have a clear WHY behind your WHAT, yes?
Great.
Now Consider This: What values are so core to who you are that you'd rather lose customers than compromise them?
The Patagonia Test: When Patagonia ran their "Don't Buy This Jacket" campaign, they were testing a fundamental question: Do we exist to sell more stuff, or to create a more sustainable world? Their clarity on this drove 30% revenue growth because their customers knew exactly what they stood for.
Your Action: Write down 3-5 values that define your business at its core. For each one, ask: "Would I be willing to lose 20% of my customers to uphold this value?" If the answer is no, it's not really a core value. If the answer is YES, lean into that value and define your marketing strategy around it.
I'd LOVE to know your core values! Please hit reply and share them with me -- and I'll share mine with you.
Want my eyes on your business's marketing strategy? Let's chat. I am now offering mission-driven entrepreneurs and nonprofits access to my boutique marketing services to help you grow your leads and sales. We'll create a high level strategy together that stands the test of time -- and chaos. Book a call with me to discuss.
"A highly-developed values system is like a compass. It serves as a guide to point you in the right direction when you are lost.”
— – Idowu Koyenikan